Printing machine



Aug 22,, 194 1., M & @UDGER 2$$E5 PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 9 19414 M. s. GUDGER 2,35%,315

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 51, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BYW% 7 ATT ,Patented Aug. 22, 1944 ram'rnvo MACHINE Morris S. Gudger, New York, N. Y., assignor to R. Hoe & 00., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 31, 1941, Serial No. 425,019

14 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet printing machines and more particularly to improved means for controlling cylinder tripping mechanism of a rotary sheet fed printing machine.

The present invention is especially adapted for use in a printing machine for printing or decorating sheets of relatively heavy paper, cardboard, tin plate or analogous materials, with which suitable mechanism is provided to feed the sheets one at a time and in timed relation to the cooperating printing cylinder, and wherein suitable mechanism is also provided to trip or separate one of the printing cylinders away from the other.

When sheets are fed to printing cylinders, it is desirable that, should the feeding mechanism fail to feed a sheet properly and it is presented to the printing cylinders either before or later than the proper time, such condition will be detected and the cylinders be tripped ofl impression to avoid damage and inconvenience. It is also desirable that, when a sheet is presented either in advance of or behind its proper feeding time, the machine be stopped to permit removal of the improperly fed sheet and prevent damage to the machine.

One object of this invention is to provide in a printing machine of the kind mentioned, an

improved control device for a cylinder tripping mechanism adapted to be actuated when. one sheet of a series advancing toward the cylinders along a feed guide is absent from a particular place on the guide at a time whenit should be present, or is present at that place at an im- 7 proper time.

Another object is to provide in a control device of the kind mentioned, means adapted to be engaged by an advancing sheet to detect its timed relation and effect a device to control a cylinder tripping mechanism to prevent tripping of the cylinders when the sheet is moving in time, and to cause tripping of the cylinders when a sheet is not moving in time" and to stop the machine.

closed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmental side view of the cooperating printing cylinders of a printing machine, the tripping mechanism therefor, and the control device for the tripping mechanism and which embodies the features and principles of this invention, the several parts being illustrated in their relative positions while the machine is in operation and a sheet is being printed;

Figure 2 is a fragmental side view of the cooperating printing cylinders and the tripping mechanism in their positions when the mechanism is actuated to trip the impression cylinder away from the plate cylinder, for instance, when a sheet is absent from the series of sheets being fed to the cylinders;

Figure 3 is a fragmental side view of the control device for the cylinder tripping mechanism with the parts thereof in position to set the tripping mechanism to trip the impression cylinder off and to also stop the machine; and

Figure 4 is a diagram of an electrical control circuit for the control device herein illustrated.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, a sheet SI is shown passing between a plate cylinder II and an impression cylinder I2 to be printed. Another sheet S2 is shown being fed toward the cylinders along a sheet feed guide I3 by propelling rollers l4 and I5, disposed below a feedboard IS, with cooperating pressure rollers I! and I8 above them. A known pusher device not shown, preferably engages the rear edge of the sheet before it passes beyond the roller I4. The cylinders II and I2, as is usual, are arranged to be rotated, through suitable driving connections with other elements of the machine, by an electric motor I9 shown diagrammatically in Figure 4, and the sheet propelling rollers l4 and I5 are also suitably connected to the machine to be driven thereby in timed relation with the cylinders II and I2 so that under normal operating conditions, sheets S2 will be continuously fed to the cylinders in proper timed relation with the printing plate on the cylinder I l.

A tripping mechanism, in this instance, including eccentric bearing sleeves 2| for supporting the bearings for the shaft ends of the impression cylinder I2 is provided, whereby the cylinder I2 may be tripped" or separated from the plate cylinder II. This mechanism for separating the impression cylinder 12 from the plate cylinder into trip oif" position further includes a link 2: connecting the bearing sleeves 2| to an arm 28 extending from a rock plate 24, having spaced apart pins 28 and 28 extending from a face thereof.' The plate. 24' when rocked into the position shown in Figure l, actuates the bearing sleeves 2| to "trip on" or cause the cylinders H and I2 to engage the opposite sides of a sheet Bl being fed between them, and when rocked into the position shown in Figure 2. to trip ofl" whereby the cylinders H and I: are

separated. A spring 21 is provided to hold the plate 24 in either "trip on" on "trip oi! position.

The means for rocking the plate 24 includes a reciprocable trip bar 28 extending between the pins 28 and 28 and having 9. lug 28 extending outward from one side and a lug 3| extending outward from the other side. The arrangement is such that when the bar 28 is reciprocated, the lug 28 will engage the pin 28 to rock the plate 24 in one direction when the bar is raised into up" position, and the lug 3| will engage the pin 28 to rock the plate in the other direction when the bar is in "down position. The bar 28 is arranged to be reciprocated once during each revolution of the cylinders by-means of a cam 32 rotatable with the cylinder II and acting through a roller 83 carried on an arm 34 of a lever pivoted at 38 to a stationary machine part, the other arm 88 of said lever being connected at 31 to one end of the bar 28. A spring 38 is provided to constantly bias the roller 38 toward and into engagement with the cam 32. The cam 82 is timed in period that the usual gap between the ends of the printing plate on this cylinder is passing the bite between it and the impression cylinder l2.

Unless the bar 28 is raised from its position of "trip on, as shown in Figure 1, the cylinders will remain in printing relation, and therefore provision is included in this mechanism of means to raise the bar 28 to dispose the lug 28 thereon in position to engage the pin 28, on the plate 24, and rock this plate when the bar 28 is next reciprocated by the cam 82. For this purpose, the other end of the bar 28 is connected by a link 88 to an arm 48 of a trip lever 4|, another arm 42 of which carries a roller 48 arranged to ride upon a cam 44, also rotatable with the plate cylinder The cam 441s timed to swing the trip lever 4| into the down position shown in Figure 1, whereby the cylinders will be tripped on and to swing the lever 4| into the "up" position shown in Figure 2, whereby the cylinders will be tripped oil, during the period the gap in the cylinder between the plate ends is passing the bite between the cylinders, and before the cam 82 acts to reciprocate the bar 28. A spring 48 is provided to bias the roller 43 toward the cam 44.

when the sheets are being fed in proper timed relation to the cylinders II and I2, there is no necessity for tripping oil? the cylinders, and therefore means in the form of a catch 48 is herein provided, to prevent the roller 43 from following the cam 44 and raising the bar 28 to up position, thereby lifting bar 28. The catch 48 is adapted to swing upon a stationary pivot pin 41 into a position shown in dotted lines in Figure 1,

\and will then be disposed in the path of a catch plate 48 secured to the lower end of the trip lever 4|, and thus retain it in th position, shown in Figure 1, whereby the bar 28 will remain in down" or trip on position, because the roller 48 will be held in the position shown in Figure 1, and prevented from swinging downward while the low portion of the cam 44 is passing. To insure that the cylinders will remain in tripped on position when the sheetsare being led in p oper timed relation, the catch 48 is under the control of the front end of the advancing sheet 82 through a sheet detecting or trip control device. The trip control device shown includes a detector finger 48 mounted to swing freely on a pivot pin 8| and preferably coimterweighted or otherwise arranged to be constantly urged into upstanding position, as in Figure l, and against a stationary pin 88, to be disposed in the path of sheets being fed along the guides |8 by the rollers i4 and II.

The finger 48, in this instance, is of light weight construction, and is secured to a lever 82 pivoted on the pin 8|, and having a depending arm 88 to which a stop 84 is secured. The stop 84 extends into the path of movement of a reclpmcable detector rod 88. The rod 88 is loosely supported in a stationary guide post 88 and is connected to the end of an arm 81 of a detector cam lever 88, pivoted at a mid-point on a stationary stud 88, and having a roller 8| upon its other arm adapted to ride on a detector cam 82 secured on a shaft 18 driven in timed relation with the printing cylinders. A spring 83 is provided to bias the roller 8| toward the cam 82.

The catch 48 is operatively connected to the detector cam lever 88 by and 84, one end of which is connected to an arm 88, extendin from the catch 48 at the opposite side of the pivot pin 41. The other'end of the rod 84 is connected to an arm 88 secured to the cam lever 88 and moving therewith. A pin 81 in the arm 88 extends through an elongated slot 88 provided in the rod 84. A spring 88 is secured at one end to the rod 84, and at its other end to the arm 88 and biases the upper end of the slot 88 toward the pin 81.

The arrangement is such that the spring 88 acts to resiliently swing the catch 48 upwardly into the path of the end 48 of the lever 4|, so it will snap into position to catch the lever 4| when this lever assumes the position shown in Figure 1, and when the detector cam lever 88 is caused to swing, due to the roller 8| riding down onto the low portion of the detector cam 82.

beIn order that the detector cam lever 88 may in Figure 1, when the roller 8| rides down onto the low portion of the detector cam 82 and cause the catch 48 to engage the trip lever end 48, the finger 48. must be swung downwardly by a sheet being fed along the guides l8, thereby swinging the arm 83 and moving the latch 84 out of the path of the adjacent end of the detector rod 88. Thus, if sheets are being fed along "in time, the finger 48 will be depressed in time to permit the catch 48 to engage the catch plate 48 on the trip lever 4| and restrain the roller 48 from riding down onto the low portion of the cam 44, which would raise the bar 28 into trip 011" position. From this, it follows that should a sheet be absent from the series of sheets being fed, the finger 48 will not be depressed and the catch 84 will then block the movement of the detector rod 88, and the roller 8| will be prevented from following down onto the low portion of the cam 82 and the catch 48 will thus be held in the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, allowing the roller 48 to ride down the cam 44 and raise the trip barv 28. The trip bar 28 being thus raised will, upon being reciprocated by means of the cam 82, rock the plate 24 to-trip o the impression, and it reswung to the position shown in dotted lines mains 011" while the cylinders rotate through the period that would otherwise be employed in printing the absent sheet. Obviously, the next sheet passing in time will again set the elements to trip the cylinders into "on" impression in readiness to receive and print upon this in time" sheet.

It will be observed that the upper side of the latch 54 is an inclined surface and when the rod 88 moves along it the finger 49 is drawn downward to such extent that it cannot touch the undersideof a passing sheet.

In addition to means to trip "011! th impression when a sheet is absent from the series being fed, means are also herein provided to stop the machine and to set the mechanism to trip the impression, when a sheet is.moving along the feed table either ahead of time or behind time. The device to so control the tripping mechanism, is also controlled by the detector finger 49 and includes an electrical switch 1| having an operating button 12 extending beyond its casing, and positioned to be engaged by a rearwardly extending portion 9| of the finger 49. The switch 1| is carried at the end of an arm 13 of a cam lever 14, the other end 15 of which carries a roller 18 arranged to ride on a cam 11 rotatable with the cam 82 by being electrical devices that s rve to interrupt the current supply to the motor driving the machine and also to set the tripping control mechanism to trip off" the printing cylinders. This trip setting action is effected by an electro-magnet 81 mounted on the machine frame and having an armature 88 held in alignment with the rod 84. When the magnet is energized, the armature moves into engagement with an end 89 of the rod 84 and prevents the rod being moved by the lever 68 to engage the catch 48 with the catch plate 48, and even if the rod 84 has been moved through operation of the hereinbefore described mechanical trip setting mechanism so as to engage the catch 48, if the magnet is energized, the resulting movement of the armature 88 will release the catch 46 and the trip off" mechanism will function, because the slot 88 in the rod 84 permits movement of the rod by the electro-magnet even when the cam roller 8| is on a low portion of the cam 62.

The switch 1| as herein shown (Figure 4) is connected in a circuit extending from a line wire L| through the switch 1|, to a relay 8| and then to a line wire L2, whereby closing of the switch will energize the relay 8| and open a switch 82 controlled thereby. The switch 82 is in a circuit that extends from L2 through a switch 85 and a solenoid 84 to Ll. This solenoid operates the switch 85 and also a motor switch 83. When the switch 82 is opened, it deenergizes the solenoid 84, opening the motor switch 83, and it will be understood that as is customary, an automatic brake is provided that will function to stop the machine quickly. Manual operation of a normally open push button switch 88 connected between the line wir L2 and the solenoid 84 will close a circuit paralleling the switches 82 and 85 and energize the solenoid 84 to, close the motor switch 83 when it is desired to start the machine. The electromagnet 81, the function of which has hereinbefore been described, is connected in parallel with the relay 8| and is energized when the switch 1| is closed.

The finger 49 is provided with a portion 9| extended to engage the switch button 12 (Figure 3) to operate the switch 1| if the finger 49 is depressed by a sheet at a time when the switch 1| is moved to the position shown in Figure 1. Under normal operating conditions, the switch 1| is moved away from the finger portion 9| by the cam 11 acting through the lever 14 when the roller 18 rides down to the low portion of the'cam 11, and the button 12 does not close the switch, for this cam 11 is timed to cause the withdrawal of the switch just prior to the engagement of an "in time sheet with the finger 49. Thus, in the case of sheets moving in time," the circuit in which the switch 1| is connected will remain open, the motor l9 will continue in operation, and the electro-magnet 81 will not be energized.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that should the sheet feeding mechanism fail to function properly and a sheet is misplaced and passing along the feed board later than at the proper time, the finger 49 will not be depressed in time to block the movement of the rod 55 and the mechanical tripping mechanism will function to trip "off the impression of the printing cylinders, without stopping the machine; also should a sheet be misplaced and passing along the feed board in advance of the proper time, or should its passage be obstructed in some manner and it is delayed so that it holds the finger 49 down during a period when no sheet should be at that point, the switch 1| will be moved forward while the finger 49 is depressed by the sheet, and in consequence, the tripping mechanism will be set to "trip off, and the machine will be stopped. When the sheet has been removed, the machine can be restarted by manual operation of the push button 88.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being .hadto the claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a sheet fed printing machine, sheet feeding means, and a cylinder tripping mechanism adapted to be set in trip on and trip 011" positions, control means for the tripping mechanism, including a sheet detector finger disposed in the path of travel of the sheets, to be engaged and displaced byeach sheet and so held while the sheet is passing, to effect the setting of the tripping mechanism into on position when the sheet engages and moves the finger in proper timed relation with cylinder rotation, and a second means actuated when the finger is held displaced by a sheet present at an improper time, to effect the setting of the tripping mechanism to off position.

2. In a sheet fed printing machine, sheet feeding means, and cylinder tripping mechanism adapted to be set in trip on and "trip off position, control means for the tripping mechanism, including a sheet detector finger disposed in the path of travel of the sheets, to be engaged and displaced by each sheet and so held while the sheet is passing to effect the setting of the tripping mechanism-into on position when the sheet engages and moves the finger in proper timed relation with cylinder rotation, and a sec. ond means actuated when the finger is held displaced by a sheet present at an improper time, to effect the setting of the tripping mechanism to "03" position and to stop the machine.

3. In a sheet fed printing machine having rotatable printing cylinders, and sheet feeding means, cylinder tripping mechanism adapted to be. set in "trip on" and trip off positions, control means for the tripping mechanism including a sheet detector finger disposed in the path of the travel of the sheets, to be engaged and displaced by each sheet and so held while the sheet is passing to effect the setting of the tripping mechanism into on" position when the sheet engages and moves the finger in proper timed relation with cylinder rotation, and a second means actuated when the finger is held displaced by a sheet present at an improper time, to stop the machine.

4. In a tripping mechanism for a sheet printing machine, the operation of which is dependent upon timed feeding of the sheets thereto for normal control of the mechanism, first and second trip devices, a swinging finger normally disposed in the path of the sheets being fed, to be engaged and swung thereby, a first member extending fromthe finger and swinging therewith to effect actuation of the first trip device when sheets are being fed in time," and a second member extending from the finger and swinging therewith to efi'ect actuation of the second trip device in a mechanically operated control device to set the tripping mechanism in-condition to trip the cylinders when a sheet is absent from the series being fed, and a second member swinging with the finger and engageable with an electrically operated control device to set the tripping mechanism in condition to trip the cylinders and to stop the machine driving motor when a sheet is being improperly fed.

6. A sheet fed printing machine having printing cylinders and sheet guides, a cylinder tripping mechanism having a sheet detector finger moved from a normal position .to a second position when engaged by a sheet within a zone on the-sheet guides, and a first trip controlling device actuated by the finger when it is so moved by a sheet that is within the zone at a proper time in relation to the rotation of the printing I cylinders, in combination with a second trip controlling device actuated by the finger when a sheet is present within the zone at an improper time in relation to the rotation of the printing cylinders.

7. A sheet fed printing machine having printing cylinders and sheet guides, a cylinder tripping mechanism having a sheet detector finger moved from a normal position to a second position when engaged by a sheet within a zone on the sheet guides, and a mechanical trip controlling device actuated when the finger is moved zone at a proper time in relation to the rotation of the printing cylinders, in combination with an electrically actuated trip controlling device energized when the finger is held in the second position by a sheet present within the zone at an improper time in relation to the rotation of the printing cylinders.

8. In a sheet fed printing machine having printing cylinders and a cylinder tripping mechanism having a latch, cam operated means to release the latch, electrically operated means to release the latch, and a sheet detector operable to control the cam operated means and the electrically operated means.

9. In a sheet fed printing machine having printing cylinders and a cylinder tripping mechanism having a latch, first cam operated means to release the latch, solenoid operated means to release the latch, a switch controlling the solenoid, second cam operated means to bodily move the switch, and a sheet detector operable to control the first cam operated means andto operate the switch.

10. In a rotary sheet fed printing machine, sheet feeding means, cylinder tripping mechanism adapted to be set in trip on and trip oif" positions, control means for the tripping mechanism, including a sheet detector finger disposed in the path of travel of the sheets, to be engaged and displaced by each sheet and so held while the sheet is passing, and means actuated by the finger, when in its displaced position to stop the printing machine.

11. In a rotary sheet fed printing machine, sheet feeding means, cylinder tripping mechanism adapted to be set in trip on and trip oi!" positions, control means for the tripping mechanism, including a sheet detector finger disposed in the path of travel of the sheets, to be engaged and displaced by each sheet and so held while the sheet is passing, and means actuated by the finger, when in its displaced position, to efiect the setting of the tripping mechanism into "off position and to stop the machine.

12. In a tripping mechanism for a sheet printing machine dependent for normal operation upon timed feeding of sheets thereto, a pivotally supported finger normally disposed in the path of the sheets being fed and having first and second members swinging therewith, a first trip control device operated by a first one of the members and arranged to eifect mechanical operation oi the tripping mechanism, and a second trip control device operated by a second one of the members and arranged to effect electrical operation of the tripping mechanism.

,13. In a tripping mechanism for a sheet printing machine driven by a motor, and its operation being dependent upon timed feeding of the sheets thereto for normal control of the mechanism, first and second trip devices, a swinging finger disposed in the path of the sheets being fed, to

' be engaged and swung by each sheet and so held to the second position by a sheet within the said while the sheet is passing, a first member associated with the finger to swing therewith and operate the first trip device to effect a mechanical actuation of the tripping mechanism, and a second member associated with the finger to swing therewith and operate the second trip device to efiect electrical operation of the tripping mechanism.

14. In a tripping mechanism for a sheet printing machine driven by a motor, and its operation being dependent upon timed feeding of the sheets ping mechanism, and a second member swinging with the finger to operate the second trip device to effect electrical operation of the tripping mechanism, and to stop the machine driving 5 motor.

MORRIS S. GUDGER. 

